Pulpit To Pew

Ep.28 – BFF Jesus And Expanding The Soul

In this episode of Pulpit To Pew, to end the Green Season of ordinary time, Reverend Gibson and Johnny Gwin dive deep into the world of Christian mysticism. They discuss the ideas of “Divine Time” and “Divine Leadership.” The creative, divine and eternal nature of the Celtic tradition of Anam Cara and the retelling of the story of Rumi and his “Soul-Friend” Shams. On this Feast of Christ the King, let’s explore the beauty of unifying, not dividing, the Christian world and our own personal relationships. What if we looked at Jesus as our closest friend and eternal confidant? What if that closeness was something that was not abstract but real and in the present?

Today’s lessons focus on:
1. Replacing our perception of linear time to understand the fullness of God
2. The actions and lesson of the ancient text of the Bible are bringing God’s past and promises to the present.
3. Growth, development, and expansion of our souls.
4. Seeing Christ more than just a “King” but our “Soul Friend and Heart King.”
5. The transformative moments of mixing the spiritual connection between past and present, and life and death.

{Excerpt of Rev. Gibson’s Sermon Notes:}
“…It contains what may be a fragment of a baptismal hymn that asserts the supremacy of Christ over the cosmos and the Church, describing him in the same terms as the Lady Wisdom, or Sophia. He existed before all things, and in him all things are held together. All things were created through him and for him. He is the head of the Body that is the Church, and he is the beginning of its eternal nature, as the firstborn from the dead. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” This is the full picture of Christ the King.”

“Our experience of Christ as King this Sunday will fold time together, bending and blending the present and the future, earth and heaven, the cross and the resurrection, our brokenness and our forgiven life in love.”

What you will hear:
> How the liturgical calendar works and helps frame the Pulpit To Pew Show.
> The subject of “Divine Time”
> Explanation of the Jeremiah reading – Shepards and prophecy.
> The journey into mysticism and mystical teaching.
> The folding of time – time happening in the eternal.
> Christians embody Divine Time and it connects the living and the dead.
> Looking at the Bible as Literature
> The “Word” starts to become life.
> The dynamic transformation of “The Word” and how it generates life. That in turn, generates more life.
> The limitations of language concerning the divinity and power of the Bible.
> The Divine Life
> Leonard Cohen – and the other artists that use the Bible and Scripture to create more art and other life.
> The Kingship references of Christ seems “foreign” to Rev. Gibson
> The Shepard’s that are divided the flock in 500BC and relevance today.
> The large vision of unity – Pope Pius XI created Feast of Christ The King to unite all the religion under one king – ruler.
> The failure of us as a worldwide community to worship united.
> Anam Cara – The “Soul Friend” vs. the Kingship view of Christ.
> Anam Cara (Celtic Christian Tradition) defined – an eternal friendship that knows you more than anyone else. Makes you a better person and pushes you to a fuller life.
> Poet and Philosopher John O’Donohue and his writings on the Anam Cara.
> Colemon Barks (University of Georgia) “Soul Friends” and the story of Rumi and Shams.
> Rumi, Shams and the book in the water – story.
> Out of the classroom and into the world.
> The creative, divine and eternal nature of this Celtic tradition of Anam Cara
> The Mysticism of a Soul Friend
> Time if folded over and expanded out.
> Jesus – the “Heart King” – Your “Soul King.”.
> Your relationship with Jesus needs to be bigger than just friendship.
> The “mobius” lesson from the weekly scripture.
> Anam Cara is the person that you do not hide anything from, and you confess to that person.
> The repentive criminal on Golgotha with Jesus.
> Always moving forward message in today’s lesson.
> Growth, expanding and development of your soul.
> Transformative experiences and gifts of spiritual moments after the passing of a loved one.
> The mixed and spiritual connection between life and death.
> Impact of important people on your soul and your life.
> Honoring the gifts important
> Sophia – the image and biblical image of “wisdom.”
> Paul’s letter to the Colossians – Jesus is and always eternal.
> The different and wrong ways to learn about the “Trinity.”

What do you think about Pulpit To Pew? We would love to hear what you think, or maybe what you would like us to talk about on an upcoming podcast. Email producer Stacy Wellborn at stacywellborn@gmail.com and join in the conversation.

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Pulpit to Pew, a podcast that features a conversation between priest and parishioner, to understand how the message translates and to further explore the weekly lessons within the Episcopal tradition and daily life. Related

The Very Reverend Beverly Findley Gibson, Ph.D. is the 23rd rector and 2nd Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile, where she has served since her ordination in 2005. Prior to entering the Episcopal priesthood, Dean Gibson was a member of the faculty Troy University for 18 years. She is a graduate of Converse College, the…

A recovering spoiled only child, an ex-bass player in El Cantador (his favorite band ever), wanna-be pro skateboarder & creative Pilgrim, Johnny fell in love with podcasting and hosts two other shows with Deep Fried Studios (Crusader of Cool & Fan of Podcast). A new-comer to the Episcopal Church, even though he still maintains a…